Atlas O California Zephyr Passenger Car Sets Available for Order

At $1600 for Golden Spike members, that's a TERRIFIC price for 12 world-class O-Scale passenger cars -- not to mention folks get the ENTIRE train (vs. those of us who've walked this journey for nearly 7 years!!!).  That's roughly $130 per car and no hassles of a multi-year wait... or slight paint variations from cars built at different times or by different factories.  For CZ enthusiasts not already invested in the earlier cars, this "commemorative set" is a no-brainer with superb price/performance.

That's also a cool D&RGW paint-scheme for the F-3's.  I have Atlas-O's prior version on order (from their F-7 production run), but this yellow/black combo is a real eye-catcher too.  Hmmm... might need to give Steve at MrMuffins Trains a call for more motive power.     Decisions... decisions...  

David

I'm waiting for the Twin Cities 400.

Nice... but I have my set already... and yes it took 7 years... worth the wait in my opinion.

Nice to see the cars  are still being made.

We have these up for pre-order already, here is the link.

http://www.nassauhobby.com/Pre-Order-Atlas/

Nice deal, especially considering how much time, effort and money it took for those who anguished through obtaining the first edition. 

Just wish it were available in a more useful size, for those who have smaller layouts. The 12 cars with an A-B-A stretch about 24.6 feet. (For comparison, that's 6 feet longer than a 2016 Chevy Suburban.) 

breezinup posted:

...  Just wish it were available in a more useful size, for those who have smaller layouts. ...

For folks ordering thru dealers, I think they can order two of the three 4-car sets that are made in each road-name.  So an 8-car train can be assembled too.  Still a sizable train with 21" cars, but every little bit helps.

David

 

Hey, All

Patrick's Trains is now taking orders for the New Atlas California Zephyr Passenger sets and Engines. 

Thanks

Pat

PATRICK'S TRAINS

WWW.PATSTRAINS.COM

142 29TH STREET

WHEELING WV 26003

304-232-0714

E-MAIL PATSTRAINS@AOL.COM

Image:	Price:	Title:	Details:
	$593.82	3007019C ATLAS O California Zephyr “C” Western Pacific 4-Car Set - Commemorative Edition http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 3007019C Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Passenger Cars Availability: Pre-order
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	$575.82	3007019B ATLAS O California Zephyr “B” Western Pacific 4-Car Set - Commemorative Edition http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 3007019B Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Passenger Cars Availability: Pre-order
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	$575.82	3007019A ATLAS O California Zephyr “A” Western Pacific 4-Car Set - Commemorative Edition http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 3007019A Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Passenger Cars Availability: Pre-order
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	$593.82	3007018C ATLAS O California Zephyr “C” D&Rgw 4-Car Set - Commemorative Edition http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 3007018C Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Passenger Cars Availability: Pre-order
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	$575.82	300701B ATLAS O California Zephyr “B” D&Rgw 4-Car Set - Commemorative Edition http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 3007018B Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Passenger Cars Availability: Pre-order
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	$575.82	3007018A ATLAS O California Zephyr “A” D&Rgw 4-Car Set - Commemorative Edition http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 3007018A Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Passenger Cars Availability: Pre-order
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	$593.82	3007017C ATLAS O California Zephyr “C” Cb&Q 4-Car Set - Commemorative Edition http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 3007017C Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Passenger Cars Availability: Pre-order
<input name="View_Details" type="submit" value="View Details" />
	$575.82	3007017B ATLAS O California Zephyr “B” Cb&Q 4-Car Set - Commemorative Edition http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 3007017B Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Passenger Cars Availability: Pre-order
<input name="View_Details" type="submit" value="View Details" />
	$575.82	3007017A ATLAS O California Zephyr “A” Cb&Q 4-Car Set - Commemorative Edition http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 3007017A Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Passenger Cars Availability: Pre-order
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	$467.96	1641-3 ATLAS O Burlington 9962B F3B Phase 2 “Early” Powered http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 1641-3 Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Locomotives Availability: Pre-order
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	$467.96	1640-4 ATLAS O Burlington 9962C F3A Phase 2 “Early” Powered http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 1640-4 Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Locomotives Availability: Pre-order
<input name="View_Details" type="submit" value="View Details" />
	$467.96	1640-3 ATLAS O Burlington 9962A F3A Phase 2 “Early” Powered http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 1640-3 Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Locomotives Availability: Pre-order
<input name="View_Details" type="submit" value="View Details" />
	$467.96	1638-4 ATLAS O Western Pacific 803C F3B Phase 2 “Early” Powered http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 1638-4 Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Locomotives Availability: Pre-order
<input name="View_Details" type="submit" value="View Details" />
	$467.96	1638-3 ATLAS O Western Pacific 803B F3B Phase 2 “Early” Powered http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 1638-3 Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Locomotives Availability: Pre-order
<input name="View_Details" type="submit" value="View Details" />
	$467.96	1637-3 ATLAS O Western Pacific 803A F3A Phase 1 Powered http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 1637-3 Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Locomotives Availability: Pre-order
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	$467.96	1616-4 ATLAS O Rio Grande 554C F3B Phase 1 Powered http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 1616-4 Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Locomotives Availability: Pre-order
<input name="View_Details" type="submit" value="View Details" />
	$467.96	1616-3 ATLAS O Rio Grande 554B F3B Phase 1 Powered http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 1616-3 Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Locomotives Availability: Pre-order
<input name="View_Details" type="submit" value="View Details" />
	$467.96	1615-4 ATLAS O Rio Grande 554D F3A Phase 1 Powered http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 1615-4 Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Locomotives Availability: Pre-order
<input name="View_Details" type="submit" value="View Details" />
	$467.96	1615-3 ATLAS O Rio Grande 554A F3A Phase 1 Powered http://www.patstrains.com/View...Details=View+Details	Stock Number: 1615-3 Gauge: O/O-27 Gauge Manufacturer: Atlas O Master Line Product Type: Locomotives Availability: Pre-order

This is great news!!! Talk about the ultimate passenger set. 

All,

As I had mentioned on another post to get correct information in your hands about this train as our Executive Chairman Tom Haedrich had mentioned to me when we were working on bringing these train sets to market that there are no guarantees in life (other than a couple) so if you ever had the inclination to own a premium model of what many consider was one of the greatest passenger trains in American, don't hesitate and order your version today.

Speaking of versions we've made it easy to order what are actually 10 sets counting the Limited Edition Golden Spike Club version (need to be a member), which has two cars that are still in service today. You can read about these two cars here:   http://www.calzephyrrailcar.co...s/Silver_Rapids.html and here: http://www.calzephyrrailcar.co...s/Silver_Rapids.html

If you have any questions about how this train in particular or how to order it please contact me, thanks.

Jerry Kimble

jkimble@atlaso.com

Coordinator Sales/Marketing/Product Development

My apologies on the second car that is still in use today as I duplicated the first one. The second car that is still in use today can be found here: http://www.calzephyrrailcar.co...Silver_Solarium.html

Thanks - Jerry Kimble

Neat stuff I just might be swayed; these cars eat up a lot of real estate. That said I really like them. A 4 pack might do it for me.

Will there be any unpowered F units?

Traindiesel posted:

Will there be any unpowered F units?

Good question.  Atlas-O offered unpowered F-7 units in the last announced production run.  I have an ABBA Rio Grande configuration (with 3 powered units) coming out of that production run.  I'm really taking a liking to this new Rio Grande paint-scheme... but might need to settle for an ABA 'cause I don't want -- nor do I need -- 4 powered units.

I'm also not crazy about the F3/F7 horn sound on these ERR sound boards.  For the $$$ spent, I wish Atlas-O or ERR would bite the bullet and put a richer sounding diesel horn in these locomotives.  The one that's there now -- even in the demo video in the original post -- has that "sick cow" sound to it, with little if any depth or presence to it.  I don't care if what's there is prototypical or not.  Sound is such an important element of enjoying today's model trains, I'd look the other way if art didn't necessarily imitate life to every rivet... or in this case, every note of the horn sound/chord. 

David

P.S.  I much prefer the ERR Railsounds for the C420 diesels, as per their website.  Does anybody know if these boards can just be swapped out for a soundboard that we prefer?  I know we can't "update" Railsounds by downloading our own sound file.  But I'd pay the extra $85 or so for the sounds I prefer, if a simple ERR board swap does the trick!  

2 questions,

Will the WP F3s have the plated stainless panels like the yet to be delivered ATSF WB F7s?

Will the 2-rail diesels have QSI or ESB electronics?

Hi,

Atlas says,"Car names for the commemorative and limited edition sets will not be duplicated across the GSC and dealer/distributor sets. "

So, will the names on the dealer sets be correct?

Thanks,

Ed

Ed Kelly posted:

...  Atlas says,"Car names for the commemorative and limited edition sets will not be duplicated across the GSC and dealer/distributor sets. "

So, will the names on the dealer sets be correct? ...

I can't imagine why Atlas wouldn't use accurate CZ names.

You might want to keep this website bookmarked, as it's a terrific reference for lots of info related to the California Zephyr.  Appears that there would be plenty of car names to go around without duplication.

David

The CB&Q F3A units had MARS lights. Do the Rio Grande and WP FA units also have MARS lights.Thanks.

Thank you, David, for the link to the CZ website - it has an amazing wealth of information.

This set seems destined to become one of the collectible classics of the hobby.  I appreciate the way Atlas O is offering this set.  The four car sets provide a number of options and make a really nice way to get a smaller train that still captures the look and feel of the whole trains.   I don't model the roads over which the CZ ran, but the PRR Silver Rapids sleeper gives me an opening to go for this train.  

All,

I'll try to address as many questions and concerns that I've seen thus far starting with other passenger train sets being issued on the California Zephyr tooling even though it wouldn't be prototypically correct. As someone once said to me the model railroad hobby is a big tent that everyone can fit under, a statement I completely agree with. Having said this I don't want anyone to take offense to what I'm about to say and that is Atlas prides itself on doing scale models as realistic as possible for a given price point. We find that this is what the majority of our customer want from us and not toy models that are incorrect.

On the California Zephyr taking up too much real estate on a given layout. Again it's what we do, scale models which we don't make any apologies for. How many of you have purchased a scale "Big Boy" steam locomotive based on the excitement of Union Pacific putting #4014 back into service? Now raise your hands on how many of you have a layout that will support that beast, probably not many. You bought it because it represents an important part on American railroad history and you didn't know if the opportunity would ever present itself again and you now have it as your own. This same principal applies to the California Zephyr in that it represented an important part of American railroad history with some historian considering it to be the most beautiful passenger train of the streamline era, hence having the nickname of "The Silver Lady". It's the only passenger train that has two Websites dedicated to it and four very well written books about it as well, with one of those books commanding monster money on e-Bay if you can find it. Think positive that one day you could join a club that has a layout that would support this beauty or start your own modular club where you can run what you brung (hot rod term). If you're financially able don't let this opportunity pass you by either just like with the "Big Boy".

Will there be any none powered diesels offered with the sets? No as we wanted these sets to be special in every way so we elected to forgo offering dummies, which we always find someone down the line wanting to buy the parts to power them anyway. I personally own two dummies in my entire collection of locomotives and that happened because I had to buy extra pieces to provide myself with an all powered CB&Q ABA set and the same with the Western Pacific ABB set. I will be selling these as soon as I can because I'm the only dummy in my locomotive consist. Needless to say I won't have to do this with the Denver Rio Grande & Western set of ABBAs as they are all powered. We're well aware that for the three rail models with traction tires two powered locomotives in the consist will in most cases be sufficient enough power to pull the consist on most layouts. Two rail is a different story altogether with those modelers needing the extra power for the California Zephyrs length.

Will the Western Pacific units have the stainless finish that we're offering on the Santa Fe Warbonnet F7s with the answer being no as we didn't have the time to make that change. For those of you who were at the York TCA event in October of 2015 and saw the complete train run with the Western Pacific F3s on the led those were my engines (all powered of course) and I heard nothing but compliments about the appearance of this ABB set.

Are the names correct for the various sets with the answer being absolutely! We'll be holding yet another seminar at York in April to go over how to order these sets which by the way numbers 9 different sets for Dealers and 1 special set for our Golden Spike Club members. We'll also discuss how how we chose the names for the various sets as well.

We thank everyone for their enthusiasm over these California Zephyr passenger train sets and for those of you who have already ordered them.

Jerry Kimble - Atlas Model Railroad Company

Since I'm a confirmed PRR nut. I tink I found a way to not have too build all those domes.

   If I join the spike club I get the 10 6 PRR car and then wait for The GGD PA announcement  and pray for the Yellow Jacket DRGW to get done  so I can spread that hit out over 2 years. Oh Why did they have to make these in 2 rail????

   All the info here is pushing me toward purchasing a train I admired as a kid in HO .  I remember the MR issue with was it the Sunset lines and the pictures of the CZ in Winter Park in the snow.   Guess I better start figuring.

Jerry Kimble posted:

...

I'll try to address as many questions and concerns that I've seen thus far starting with other passenger train sets being issued on the California Zephyr tooling even though it wouldn't be prototypically correct. As someone once said to me the model railroad hobby is a big tent that everyone can fit under, a statement I completely agree with. Having said this I don't want anyone to take offense to what I'm about to say and that is Atlas prides itself on doing scale models as realistic as possible for a given price point. We find that this is what the majority of our customer want from us and not toy models that are incorrect.

...

Jerry, thanks for jumping in to respond so quickly to some of the questions that were posed.  Great job!!!  Since I raised the possibility of Atlas-O issuing another road-named passenger train based on the CZ tooling, let me add a few comments:

I certainly wouldn't be opposed to Atlas-O providing road-name unique, accurate scale models for future passenger trains.  The over-riding issue for me, however, is time-to-market at a reasonable price-point.  I was one of the early CZ enthusiasts who jumped on board this journey in 2009.  And we all know it's now 2016.  Yes, a lot of unanticipated events occurred during those 7 years.  But the over-riding message I would send back to Atlas-O's executive team is that I would never -- and I do mean NEVER -- sign up for another multi-year wait to assemble a complete passenger train consist a few cars at a time.  If that's part of what it would take for Atlas-O to modify existing tooling to make 100% accurate scale models of another train, then I am not interested.  Perhaps some enthusiasts have that kind of fortitude and patience.  I did it once, and won't do it again.  A lot can happen in one year.  A TREMENDOUS amount happens in 7 years -- especially given the aging demographics of your target market, as well as instabilities of the overseas manufacturing environment(s).

Just sayin... I agree the majority of your customers would like model trains with as many correct details as possible.  However, I don't believe a majority of your customers would want to wait 7, 5, or even 3 years to get those results.  Make whatever tooling changes need to be done... perhaps overlap that slightly with a product announcement... and then deliver the ENTIRE train in 12-18 months MAX.

David

Someone asked inasmuch as the CB&Q F3A units had MARS lights. Will the Rio Grande and WP F-units also have MARS lights? The answer is yes. I forgot to answer the second part of another question which was will the 2-rail diesels have QSI or ESU electronics? I'm not trying to be elusive with my answer but presently that decisions hasn't been made, but whether it's QSI or ESU it will be the best sound set and decoder that either manufacturer has to offer... and David we hear you loud and clear.

Jerry Kimble - Atlas Model Railroad Company

Jerry wrote,

"We'll be holding yet another seminar at York in April to go over how to order these sets which by the way numbers 9 different sets for Dealers and 1 special set for our Golden Spike Club members. We'll also discuss how how we chose the names for the various sets as well."

Not everyone goes to York.  Can you explain this now?

Regards,

Ed

The fact that the decision has not been made between QSI and ESU is a positive thing to me.  At least it is not the QSI default as on the F7s.

And it is not the sound that is the determinant to me, it is the motor control.  If sound is a big deal then you should consider talking to the TCS folks.  I think their sounds are the best and they are coming out with a 5 Amp decoder.  So far their motor control seems on par with ESU to me.

Pardon my ignorance, but what is ESU?

 

Will these model locomotives have command control?

Ed Kelly posted:

Jerry wrote,

"We'll be holding yet another seminar at York in April to go over how to order these sets which by the way numbers 9 different sets for Dealers and 1 special set for our Golden Spike Club members. We'll also discuss how how we chose the names for the various sets as well."

Not everyone goes to York.  Can you explain this now?

Regards,

Ed

Ed, That is a great suggestion. 

Jerry, Please consider posting that information here on the forum. Even if you wait until post York that is fine, but it would be great to get the ordering logic.

Thanks!!

Bringing in the sets for around $130 a car should drive the cost of the cars already out there down.   Seven years of buying cars and now the prices will come down.   Plastic is a petroleum product so perhaps we are finally seeing the benefit of lower oil prices.

Good day.... Our pre-order discount pricing with free shipping is up on our website as well.... Thanks very much....

https://mrmuffinstrains.myshop...ollections/187311877

Here's a summary of the CZ Car Sets for your reference:

VGN64 posted:

Bringing in the sets for around $130 a car should drive the cost of the cars already out there down.   Seven years of buying cars and now the prices will come down.   Plastic is a petroleum product so perhaps we are finally seeing the benefit of lower oil prices.

That pricing applies to GSC members only and appears to undercut any posted dealer discount pricing at this point,just saying!

hibar posted:

VGN64 posted:

Bringing in the sets for around $130 a car should drive the cost of the cars already out there down.   ...

That pricing applies to GSC members only and appears to undercut any posted dealer discount pricing at this point,just saying!

True.  Atlas-O hasn't done the early CZ enthusiasts any favors with this pricing.  But they're to be commended nonetheless for making a complete 12-car set available at a dynamite price.  Folks nowadays aren't typically "investing" in trains anyway, so it doesn't bother me one iota that folks can get a complete train today for basically the same price early CZ enthusiasts paid over time.  The advertised dealer pricing thus far is coming in at roughly 10% off MSRP, and as you noted is more than the GSC members will pay if ordering a 12-car CB&Q set directly from Atlas-O.  Should be interesting to see how the dust settles.

I suspect folks choosing the dealer route (for the cars) might do so if they want a train with mixed liveries (i.e., CB&Q, D&RGW, and WP), or a train with less than 12 cars (i.e., 4 or 8 cars, or individual cars if dealers break up the sets later).

As good as pricing is for GSC members ordering a 12-car set, pricing for the locomotives most certainly reflects an increase.  The most aggressive dealer prices last year for the F7's were around $420 per powered unit (on $499 MSRP), and under $200 for unpowered units.  The new F3 advertised prices thus far are around $467, which is $47 more street-dollars on an MSRP increase of just $20 to $520.  Seems a bit odd.  So in that regard, dealers should be able to achieve an actual selling price below $467... perhaps closer to $435 each -- maybe even slightly less for somebody buying an ABA or ABBA config.  

Best deal is the 12-car set via the Golden Spike Club.  Locomotives are a different story though, since Atlas-O isn't offering them to GSC members directly.  Should be interesting to see how dealers eventually set themselves apart there, with everyone advertising powered F3 units at $467.

David

All,

Ed commented not everyone goes to York.  Can you explain this now? Yes I can and Mr. Muffin has helped in that regard by his post clearly showing all the cars in each 4-car set. The three railroads that partnered to take this car cross country bought a total of 77 cars all starting with "Silver" as part of the name with the one exception being the "Silver Rapids" purchased by the PRR to offer transcontinental service all the way to New York City. What many don't know is the PRR partnered with the NYC to offer this service as well and both railroads use this car. Between the Golden Spike Club CB&Q 12 car set and the other three pure 12 car sets being offered to Dealers for the CB&Q, DRG&W and WP 48 of the 77 names are being used.

You can purchase any combination of an A, B or C set of cars and you'll still be prototypically correct in how this train operated over its 21 year and 2 day life span, which gives you 9 different sets. We know from our research as well as having a discussion with a conductor who worked this train for 15 years that the cars stayed pure to their railroad for about two or three weeks of operation before they started being intermixed because of servicing needs or just general maintenance. The sets were pure on and off again throughout the life of the train as well as on the last run of March 22, 1970. Of course for those of you who already own some of these cars and have been on the hunt for others that you needed a Dealer can sell you just a 4-car set that hopefully will have the names you're looking for. We know some Dealers may go further and break the sets but no guarantees there as that's strictly up to a Dealer. Hopefully this clears up the mystery of how to order, if not e-mail me at jkimble@atlaso.com for a color brochure I can send you that will help.

RoyBoy asked what is ESU? ESU stands for Electronic Solutions Ulm GmbH & Co KG and you can read all about them by clicking on this link: http://www.esu.eu/en/start/ .

Someone posted that bringing in the sets for around $130 a car should drive the cost of the cars already out there down. The fact is these cars have only gone up $10.00 since there introduction in 2009 with the exception of the Dome Observation Car at retail. The $130.00 price is based on where we priced our Golden Spike Club set, which again shows it pays to be a member of this club, but the reality is a Dealer can sell at that same price if he or she elects to do so and make a profit, just saying!

Jerry Kimble - Atlas Model Railroad Company 

 

I believe Atlas has put out a "suggested" min discount Advertised price to dealers on all products ,obviously you and your dealer can make a deal beyond that. You are correct on buyers wanting less than a full set or the other Rd names than the GSC set and buying from dealers. Ever rising prices are a fact of life, it seems BTO works for the MFGs/Importers.JMO

So why the sets?? Why cant we buy any 4 for $ or any 8 for $.

Atlas not the way to market when single cars were available in the last years as single purchases. 

Alan Rail,

See my above post which explains a Dealer can sell you a 4 or 8-car set if that fits your needs over and out as I'm done for the weekend.

Jerry Kimble - Atlas Model Railroad Company

 

For Jerry When He Comes Back on Monday,

Will the CZ cars have KD's or coupler mounting holes spaced for KD's?

Thanks,

Ed

Ed Kelly posted:

For Jerry When He Comes Back on Monday,

Will the CZ cars have KD's or coupler mounting holes spaced for KD's?

Thanks,

Ed

I would assume that any/all of the 2-Rail cars would come equipped with Atlas' own "Kadee compatible" 2-Rail coupler. Their 2-Rail freight cars all come with the Atlas coupler.

Question - this is a "commemorative" edition.  From the names and drawings offered by the dealers in this thread vying for everyone's pre-orders, it's hard to see what if any differences there are between the set that Atlas delivered piecemeal over 7 years and any of these "commemorative" sets.  Do all these differently named "commemorative" sets look identical to each other (other than the names of the cars themselves) or are there differences between them?  And which set most closely resembles the one delivered by Atlas piecemeal?   Thanks. 

Just a guess but, there were/are a lot of different individual car names for each of the three railroads, that Atlas didn't use with the previous productions. The CB&Q especially has LOTS of different car names since they added so many other "Zephyr" trains in addition to the CZ.

PJB posted:

... And which set most closely resembles the one delivered by Atlas piecemeal?   ...

Keep in mind...  Atlas-O never delivered a CZ "set" piecemeal, per se.  They're in the final phase of delivering on their plan to produce all the CZ car styles that made up the train.  It was up to buyers to assemble the train based on their preferences.  That CZ website I mentioned earlier in this thread has all kinds of good information -- including different CZ consists over time.  Some people purchased one (or more) of each car style that Atlas-O produced (resulting in a 12-13 car train more common in the CZ heydays), while others selected a subset based on their layout size or one of the smaller prototype CZ trains during different years of the train's operation.

I'm guessing it was Atlas-O's original "plan" to complete their CZ project within two years... Three MAX.  But unforeseen events prolonged that period to 7 years.  These latest "commemorative edition" sets are giving folks an excellent opportunity to quickly assemble something that many of us here have been waiting seven years to do.  Quite unprecedented in this hobby when you think about it.

David